Military attire question for Vets.

[Amy May]

I was helping my younger sister move into her college dorm this past weekend. I noticed on campus this one student wearing a woodland camo top. Nothing strange about that.

However, "U.S. Air Force" was stitched over his left breast pocket, and he had patches on the top two pockets on each side and rank insignia on his sleeve. It looked authentic. I know enough about the military to be able to tell the difference between "military styled" clothing and actual issued attire.

My question is... What are the rules for wearing that sort of attire in the civilian world? He wasn't in uniform... he was wearing jeans and the top was unbuttoned. I know for active duty servicemen, this wouldn't be allowed. So what about Vets? Are there regulations / limitations on what you can and can't wear? I often see people walking around in such tops but it looks like the patches were all removed. So what's appropriate?

 

[Lee Barner]

he may be a vet that just got out and is using his G.I.Bill for college. maybe just proud of his service too. don't know of any civilian laws that prohibit wearing uniform garments with rank insignia or badges. lee

 

[Amy May]

I know that may be the case, and I don't have an issue with that. My question is about the military regulations. I was wondering it it's okay or if it's a no no (not like I'd go back, look for him, and scold him or anything... just curious)

 

[BlackAgnes]

Forbidden for civilian wear under 10 USC, Subtitle A, Part II, Chapter 45, Sections 771 and 772.

However, rarely prosecuted.

Tim

 

[redsfan2]

Guy I was in the Marines with took hos winter dress coat and had it dyed black and new black buttons .... was actually one of the better looking coats I've ever seen.
I used to wear my fatigues hunting ... and working around the yard. After I got done with them ... and sometimes before, my daughter grabbed every one of them. Loved to wear them .... and I like to think that part of that reason was that they were mine ... maybe not tho.

Not sure about legality ... but as long as they're just being worn ... as opposed to being disresectful in the way they're used ... I don't think it would bother many people.

 

[handejector]

I know that may be the case, and I don't have an issue with that. My question is about the military regulations. I was wondering it it's okay or if it's a no no (not like I'd go back, look for him, and scold him or anything... just curious)

How could regulations govern a civilian?
Once you're out, you're out.

 

[oldRoger]

There were a lot of us attending college on the GI bill in the mid and late 50s. This was not the same as the post WWII bill, money was very tight, most of us had part-time jobs, and our uniforms were what we had available to wear. I wore my fatigue trousers to rags. My khakis went the same way. Khaki shirt, fatigue pants, and field jacket was the unofficial uniform.
In the those days it was considered proper to remove the military rank insignia, branch of service pocket ID, and so forth, some people removed their name tag. No one ever said to do it, it was just done.

 

[BlackAgnes]

Lee--

US Code (Law) forbids it.

Tim

 

[lcdrdanr]

We were always taught that any item that made the clothing uniquely military (i.e rank, branch, unit insignia) must be removed before wearing military uniforms as civilian wear. That was for the Active Duty personnel.

For the civilian personnel, military regulations don't apply. However, when attending Texas A&M in the 60's, the school itself had a dress code and I remember milltary insignia had to be removed from military clothing worn as civilian wear. I remember getting into an argument regarding wearing a Navy Foul Weather Jacket with "DLG 16" stenciled on the back. My argument was 90% of the people there had no clue what a DLG was.

Dan R

 

[kennyb]

Forbidden for civilian wear under 10 USC, Subtitle A, Part II, Chapter 45, Sections 771 and 772.

However, rarely prosecuted.

Tim

dang!its going to be hard on the civil war re-enactors
hmmm...also those that work colonial williamsburg!

 

[Denver Dick]

I got out in December '71 and started college spring semester (January) '72. My field jacket with U.S. Army and name tag over the pockets was my only jacket/coat until a couple of years after I received my degree when I bought a nice leather jacket. I also wore my fatigues with U.S. Army and name tag over pockets along with my hat while hunting until they wore out. The sargeant stripes I had pinned to my hat while I was active stayed right where they were until that hat wore out. Heck, most of the Viet Vets who were on campus in those days wore their military stuff, some more than others.

I will add, however, that I never put an Amercian Flag on my back pocket and then sit my backside down on it.

 

[GatorFarmer]

dang!its going to be hard on the civil war re-enactors
hmmm...also those that work colonial williamsburg!

Those engaged in theatrical productions (which are very liberally defined in the case law) are exempt from the law, though it is unclear whether the law itself only references current military uniforms as compared to historical ones.

 

[USAF385]

I can't recall the rules on that one....

The only issued article of clothing I wear out in public is my woodland field jacket, with name / service tape removed.

 

[rchance]

I was discharged from the service in 1991. Your saying I can't wear any of my navy uniforms, clothing, etc. now that I'm a civilian?

 

[USAF385]

I was discharged from the service in 1991. Your saying I can't wear any of my navy uniforms, clothing, etc. now that I'm a civilian?

Look back at the first post and the OPs second post... she's asking if it's proper for Vets to wear uniforms, or partial uniforms in this case.. with rank, service tapes, and unit patches attached.

 

[Gutpile Charlie]

I left the Army in 1962. Thereafter, I wore my field jackets, less unit and rank insignia, until I wore them out, about ten years later. As to the other stuff, khakis, greens, fatigues, etc. I've still got them in "storage" (Couldn't wear any of that stuff if I wanted too!)

I don't mind seeing "ex GIs" wearing military clothing, if rank and unit are removed, and then again, not "Class A or dress" uniforms. The only time I ever wore them after service was when participating as color guard or bugler at an American Legion funeral.

I really have a problem when some dufus clown just puts on a military coat, with rank and unit, and wears it like it's a piece of trash. I think these goofs need an "attitude adjustment."

 

[11B Lifer]

Folks wearing uniform parts

Recommend that you ignore it. Soldiers don't police citizens-citizens outrank soldiers-soldiers defend the constitution. Vets do what they want.
To make up for it-go to the airport and welcome a soldier home.

 

[walkinghorse]

"...Once you're out, you're out. ..."

I thought I was out till they drug me back in?


What about military surplus stores that sell jackets, coats, shirts, etc. with the nametags, insignia, hashmarks, etc. Still on them.

They bought it somewhere, often from government surplus, so how could it be illegal?

 

[GatorFarmer]

What about military surplus stores that sell jackets, coats, shirts, etc. with the nametags, insignia, hashmarks, etc. Still on them.

They bought it somewhere, often from government surplus, so how could it be illegal?

One also routinely finds uniforms at thrift stores. Anyway, the law isn't generally enforced and parts of it have already been ruled unconstitutional as contrary to the First Ammendment. It's only prosecuted in cases where someone is doing something along the lines of impersonating an officer and sneaking around on base.

 

[Sistema1927]

I wore my BDU's, and the Fatigues they replaced, along with both styles of field jackets, after I was discharged. I removed all patches, and insignia first. I don't remember anyone ever telling me to do this, it just felt like the right thing to do.

There was no way that I was going to wear that lousy Class-A uniform. Yuck. Who wants to look like a bus driver?

 

[kennyb]

Those engaged in theatrical productions (which are very liberally defined in the case law) are exempt from the law, though it is unclear whether the law itself only references current military uniforms as compared to historical ones.

the ref.is to current and full...i mentioned that in a light hearted way

 

[CW Spook]

When I was in high-school and college I wore my dad's WWII army shirts and fatigue jacket until they fell apart. I've been looking for twill khaki shirts like that ever since. After I got home from the Navy in '72, I did the same with my dungs' and blue working jacket. The ball cap with my 2nd Class PO emblem got worn until it got lost. I don't think the Croatian surplus woodland camo coat in the closet has any insignia though. Neither does the East German vest.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I'm a vet, but I'm not a "tough guy"...I got out of the Army in 1980 and wore my combat boots, fatigue pants, and khaki shirts along with civilian clothes to save money. I was enrolled in a Biology course that included a dissection lab. To save a few bucks, rather than buying a lab coat, I wore one of my old fatigue shirts instead. I was in the hall one day taking a break when one of the ROTC students walked by and did a double take when he saw me. He then came back and told me that I needed to take the patches and name tapes off of my shirt. I told him that he was more than welcomed to try and take the patches, and/or the shirt off of me whenever he was ready. He left the area quickly, and afterwards, always cut a pretty wide path around me.

Regards,

Dave

 

[84CJ]

I seldom wear the jackets (only when hunting). I do however wear my trousers and boots often when out riding 4 wheelers or trail riding in my jeep. After 23 yrs I have a large collection of BDU's and DCU's. When I wear the jackets all patches are in place rank is sewn on. I do not wear my ACU's unless on duty. I Haven't collected enough of them to have extras. I was never ask to turn in any BDU or DCU which I have an abundance of. The patches are supposed to be removed when a uniform is turned in along with the unit patch you keep the name tapes. If the supply Sargent overlooks it they can slip through to the surplus stores.

 

[m1gunner]

Improper wearing of uniform items on a military reservation is probably a bad idea. In public, as long as the wearer isn't trying to impersonate a member of the military, it shouldn't be an issue.

I am not up on the current uniforms, and couldn't tell what was a fake from a real one. The digital cammo stuff looks like pajammas to me.

Hmmmm, I recall one of our enemies actually used pajammas for their BDUs......

 

[imjin138]

I wear an old green field jacket during the winter, I just threw away my 25 year old boots. My kids just found my greens and blues along with ribbons in the back of the closet. (no way I could fit those).

I did wear an old green patrol cap for a long time, but either my head got to big or the cap shrunk.

I do wear ball caps with some insignia on it usually a unit patch and crest from where I served.

I did go to some re-enactments in the past and saw men and women wearing uniforms from all eras along with medals and badges they may or may not have earned.

I was at gunshow not to long ago and was speaking to a retired CSM I know and we saw a lot of guys wearing Navy Seal stuff and a lot of elite unit insignia, he about had a bird about it.

He was wearing a ball cap with the Screaming Eagle on it as was I, and I had a 502nd crest on mine.

I know it is illeagal to wear medals of valor that you have not earned or been awarded, a man in Oskosh a few years ago was arrested for it he wore a DSC that he didn't have the right to for years. I had a buddy who was into re-enacting and wore a set of WWII dress blues that he bought and had the veterans ribbons on it including a DSC and when I pointed out to him that he never made it through the first week of BCT and shouldn't be wearing them he basically told me to pound sand.

 

[mountaingun629]

People might think I looked funny if I wore my 13 button bell-bottom blues with the pin-striped jumper and neckerchief and a "dixie cup" hat!!!!!!!!!

Myron

 

[USAF385]

I am not up on the current uniforms, and couldn't tell what was a fake from a real one. The digital cammo stuff looks like pajammas to me.

The ABUs are great as far as ease of use. Wash them and you're done. No ironing or boot polishing.

I was one who would have my BDUs sharp and stiff like a piece of cardboard. I would often get comments on how sharp my uniform was (flight suit... different story..)

With the ABUs, you kind of get a bit "frumpy" looking. No ironing.

Probably my reason for not wearing my BDUs with rank and patches in public is I don't want to represent the USAF wearing a BDU top and jeans... JMO

My ABUs are out of the question since I want to re-enlist in the Reserve toward the end of my first year at school (which I just started) and want them to be useable.

 

[PALADIN85020]

My youngest daughter wore my Army field jacket for years; no unit, rank or branch insignia, just my name tape over the pocket. No big deal.

 

[CH47gunner]

I took my name tag off and left the rank & patches on.

I wasn't one of the "embarrased" vets and wore my fatigue shirts, as work shirts, until they wore out. Due to the many returned vets at the time, the combat patches raised quite a few comments and gained a few friends.
I see that it's popular to wear this stuff again especially for the younger/college crowd. I don't care unless they claim to be something they're not.

Bruce